The letter from Atkinson came six days before state Board of Education Chair William Cobey sent a stern warning to the school system criticizing actions of certain unnamed board members.

“It has been brought to my attention that Halifax County Schools' Board of education intends to conduct personnel hearings that may lead to personnel decisions with dire consequences,” she said in a letter dated October 1.

Cobey referenced this letter in his correspondence sent to the school system this week.

Atkinson noted that on August 28, the school board voted to reduce the number of hours for teacher assistants, the receptionist and child nutritional workers. At the same meeting, the school board also voted to transfer these employees against advice of the superintendent and the state. “These decisions were based upon recommendations of the HCS superintendent and in consultation with the State Board of Education designees.”

Wrote Atkinson, “These recommendations were based, in part, on review and analysis of the financial conditions of HCS. At this time HCS lacks the finances to depart from the decisions made on August 28, 2013. Such departure will have a detrimental fiscal impact on the school district and the students of HCS.”

From the 2009 consent order, which will be the subject of a November court hearing in Wake County, the school system has received significant support from the state to obtain up-to-date financial audits and to develop and implement sound fiscal policies, the letter says. “To be clear, any departures from the August 28, 2013, HCS personnel decisions are not supported by the HCS superintendent or the SBE designees.

“These decisions will be indicative of the failure of the HCS board to fully cooperate to improve educational opportunities for HCS students. I am certain that is not the objective of HCS. Please make decisions that will be in the best interest of your financial realities and your students.”